BA in History
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,100 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch, EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** for Non-EU|for EU/EEA EUR 2,530
Introduction
Have you ever thought about what connects the past with the present? And would you like to learn more about the background of various historic events? If so, this is your programme!
As a student in the international track of the Bachelor's degree programme in History, you search for explanations of events that took place in the past and are still relevant today. You learn about the connections between various developments, and you're encouraged to dig deeper and ask critical questions.
The programme takes three years. In the first year, you are given an overview of history from Antiquity to the present day, and you study Dutch history. In the second year, you examine history on the basis of various themes, such as economic and social history, political culture and cultural history. The third year, which includes a course unit on the theory of history, is used to deepen your knowledge. Your Bachelor's programme is rounded off with a thesis. As a history student, you are free to compile part of the programme yourself.
You can study for a Bachelor's degree in History on a full-time or a part-time basis, but there is no specific part-time programme. All classes in the international track of the History programme are in English.
Why study this programme in Groningen?
- The Bachelor's degree programme in History at Groningen is one of the largest in the Netherlands, offering students plenty of choices.
- The programme came second in the Elsevier Student Survey 2016.
- The curriculum covers all the major periods and pays specific attention to the cohesion between politics, culture and economics.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
In the first year, chronological course units cover the most important events and developments from Antiquity down to the present day. You will also work on your academic research and writing skills and learn about historical sources and the theories behind the study of history. In short, the first year is very diverse and gives you a solid basis for the rest of the programme.
Courses
- Ancient History (5 EC)
- Globalization I: Econ. and Soc. History (5 EC)
- HR I: Introduction (5 EC)
- Globalization II: Contemporary History (5 EC)
- HR II: Skills (5 EC)
- Medieval History (5 EC)
- Dutch History (5 EC)
- Early Modern History (5 EC)
- HR III: Historical Debate (5 EC)
- HR IV: Sources (5 EC)
- Modern History (5 EC)
- Regional Perspectives (5 EC)
Year 2
After studying history in chronological order in the first year, the second year teaches you to approach history from a thematic perspective. You will learn about three 'types' of history, each with its own emphasis and theory: cultural history, history of political culture, and economic and social history.
Courses
- Option group: see Ocasys (5 EC)
- Theme Cultural History (10 EC)
- Perspectives on History (5 EC)
- Theme History of Political Culture (10 EC)
- Minor (5 EC)
- Theme Economic and Social History (10 EC)
- Seminar Core Module (10 EC)
- Theory of History I (5 EC)
Year 3
In the third year, you will address one of these themes in more detail. The core module forms the heart of this third year. A core module is a seminar in which you acquire content-related information and research skills by studying literature and source material. This results in an independent research project with a presentation and a long paper. Your Bachelor's phase concludes with a thesis and possibly a placement.
Courses
- Minor (30 EC)
- Theory of History II (5 EC)
- BA Thesis History (10 EC)
- Placement (10 EC)
- Workshop Public History (5 EC)
Study load
- 14 hours of class and self-study per week on average
Programme options
- Minors (minor)
- University of Groningen Honours College (honours program)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is recommended
- For an average of 16 weeks
- Maximum of 30 EC
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
After completing your degree in History, you will be able to think critically, with a focus on problems. You will also be able to process large amounts of information and present the results clearly. Historians often find work in journalism and in museums, cultural institutions or publishing houses. Many of them go into politics, the government or business.
Job examples
- Government policy officer
- Spokesperson for a mayor
- Exhibition organizer
- Journalist
- Researcher
- Lecturer or teacher